Historical Documents
Every “Constitutional Conservative” Should Understand the Articles of Confederation
Were the Articles the Articles of Confederation really that bad? Did the Constitution fundamentally change the Union? What are the similarities between the Constitution and the Articles? Did the States secede from the Articles? I get emails asking questions like these...
Today in History: Virginia Passes the Statute for Religious Freedom
On this day in 1786, the Virginia General Assembly adopted Thomas Jefferson’s landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which later would become the basis for the First Amendment to the Constitution for the United States. It was authored by Jefferson and...
Thomas Jefferson on Creating a National Bank
A letter to Thomas Law, Nov. 6, 1813 Dear Sir Your favor of Oct. 1. came duly to hand, and in it the Memorial which I now return. I like well your idea of issuing treasury notes bearing interest, because I am persuaded they would soon be withdrawn from the circulation...
The Declaration of Independence Did Not Birth a New Nation
Many people consider Independence Day the “birthday of America.” During a speech at the Oakland County, Michigan, Campaign for Liberty, historian Dave Benner unravels this myth, asserting that the Declaration did not create a new “nation,” but...